Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has appointed the Cheil Network to handle its global digital and social marketing activities, following a competitive pitch process held last month.

Cheil is now
responsible for delivering Etihad Airways’ strategy and creative in all digital
and social channels. The agency will also support Etihad Airways with
performance-based marketing, analytics and reporting.

Etihad
Airways will be served by Cheil’s global network of specialisms, with its digital
specialists, The Barbarian Group, taking primary responsibility for driving best-in-class
digital and social marketing for the airline.

Shane O’Hare, Etihad Airways’ Senior Vice President
Marketing, said: “Digital is at the core of our marketing and Cheil’s strong
global team demonstrated a perfect blend of creative ambition and strategic
thinking, with ideas that reflected our brand values and personality. They will
also bring a high level of sophistication to our performance marketing through
their analytical skills and understanding of the latest industry technology.
That makes them the right agency partner for the next phase of Etihad Airways’
growth.”

Lotta Malm Hallqvist, Cheil’s Global
Vice President, said: “We want to work with innovative brands that are poised
for global growth in the next decade. Etihad Airways is one of those brands. We
look forward to elevating the airline to be the top digital and social brand in
its category by delivering strategically informed, inspirational creative
work.”

Cheil Worldwide is a
global creative network headquartered in South Korea. It operates 47 offices in
40 countries across the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.